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SME access to finance

In the future, conditions will be tighter as regards access to bank credit for small companies everywhere in Europe, and also for medium-sized companies in many countries. Innovative policy thinking is needed to improve SME access to the non-lending financing routes: venture capital, mezzanine finance, private placement, crowdfunding, access to financial markets, etc.. 

Most read / Most viewed: 
The new EU SME strategy: 50 actions to make it work (6 February 2020)

Deploying SME-geared EU financial instruments is also part of the solution. The European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) has the potential of supporting additional SME and mid-cap investment at a level of 75 billion euros over 3 years. The European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the member states should take creative measures for encouraging blending of private money with EIB money and national funds, with a view to supporting SME investment.

Publications

Position papers Date
Listing Act: making public capital markets more attractive for EU companies and facilitating access to capital for SMEs - a BusinessEurope position paper 03/06/2022
Making the EU SME definition fit for SMEs in need of venture capital and other sources of growth finance 24/04/2018
High-level principles on feedeback given by banks on declined SME credit applications 06/06/2017
BusinessEurope’s response to the Commission consultation under the Start-up Initiative 20/07/2016
Unleashing the growth and job-creation potential of SMEs - a BusinessEurope strategy paper 15/12/2014
Access to finance for SMEs: the Commission action plan and policy challenges ahead - a BusinessEurope position paper 13/06/2012
BusinessEurope position on the Commission proposed programme on competitiveness of enterprise and SMEs (COSME) 04/04/2012
Public letters Date
European banking and SME organisations move forward industry-wide dialogue on access to credit 08/04/2020
Encouraging innovative digital approaches for SME financing - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to Daniel Calleja Crespo 18/12/2014
Fast decision needed on the new SME Finance Initiative - letter sent to Mr Rimantas Sadzius, President of the ECOFIN Council 11/10/2013
Proposals for revision of the capital requirement rules (CRD IV/CRR) - Letter from Philippe de Buck to Vassos Shiarly, President of the Ecofin Council 08/10/2012
Speeches Date
How to better take into account the needs of SMEs in supporting policies and measures? Do we need any legislative solutions? - Speaking points for Daniel Cloquet at the European Economic and Social Committee SME category 08/11/2017
High-level principles on feedeback given by banks on declined SME credit applications - Comments by Daniel Cloquet at the signing ceremony 06/06/2017
COSME interim evaluation - Speaking points for Daniel Cloquet at the European Commission workshop 31/05/2017
The European Fund for Strategic Investment and its potential for SMEs - Introductory remarks by Daniel Cloquet at the European Parliament SME Intergroup meeting 23/06/2015
Accelerating solutions for improving SME access to finance - Comments by Daniel Cloquet at the EP SME Intergroup meeting 23/09/2014
The new SME Finance Initiative - Intervention by Daniel Cloquet, Entrepreneurship SMEs Director BusinessEurope 28/10/2013
Improving access to finance for SMEs - Speaking notes for Daniel Cloquet, BusinessEurope's Director for Entrepreneurship SMEs, EC SME Finance Forum, 2 May 2013, Dublin 02/05/2013
Does the next generation of EU programmes meet the needs of SMEs? - Speaking points for Daniel Cloquet in the European Parliament SME Intergroup conference, panel 1: European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 11/04/2012
Banks' capital requirements and SMEs - Speaking notes for Daniel Cloquet in European Parliament SME Intergroup meeting 20/03/2012
Cutting red tape in the EU and improving SMEs' access to finance - Comments by Daniel Cloquet at the meeting of Network of SME Envoys with EU business organisations 14/09/2011
Press releases Date
EU should fight insolvency stigma: helping businesses to bounce back 22/11/2016
EU supports fast growing SMEs: better venture capital access 22/11/2016

Contact

Daniele Olivieri

Senior Adviser
Tel:
+32 2 237 65 48
View more info
View Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Last updated: 28 February 2020